Last week the Union hit the road and played
the MLS west coast glamour franchise (LA Galaxy). This week it's the
east coast MLS glamour franchise, the New York Red Bulls, at home at PPL
Park (7PM/ESPN2).

In last week's game preview
I mentioned that the Union likely would not face a more talented
offensive trio than the Donovan, Beckham, Angel triumverate put together
by Bruce Arena and the Galaxy. This week I feel confident in saying
that the U will not face a more star-studded group than the one Red
Bulls coach Hans Backe puts out there this evening.

From back to front the New York lineup is littered with talent. The Red
Bull back four is anchored by former Barcelona man Rafa Marquez and
budding U.S. centerback Tim Ream. Look, as a USMNT fan I cannot stand
Marquez, and wish nothing but the worst for him, but even I have to
begrudgingly admit that he's had quite a career.

Dwayne De Rosario, who was just acquired from Toronto, is a five time
MLS Best XI selection, who has won four MLS Cups and is a threat to
strike from just about anywhere. Up front the Red Bulls feature Thierry
Henry (who has won every single major team trophy a player could ever
dream of - Premiere League, La Liga, Champions League, World Cup) and
sudden USMNT teenage scoring sensation Juan Agudelo.

They may be trophy-less, but on paper their lineup is incredibly impressive.

The Union, who have had trouble scoring goals thus far (just two in
three games), need to get things sorted out offensively. They've
developed this terrible habit of completely bypassing the midfield as
they transition from defense to offense. There has been no link
whatsoever between the back four and the midfield. Too often the backs
are simply pounding speculative long passes into space and hoping Carlos
Ruiz can catch up to it.

The lone playmaking midfielder who has had any impact this season is
Roger Tores. He's come off the subs bench the last two weeks and
injected some much needed life and creativity into the Union attack.
Stefani Miglioranzi and Brian Carroll have combined to clamp things down
defensively in the center of the field, but perhaps Peter Nowak should
consider introducing a more offensive minded player into his lineup?

Justin Mapp, who has missed the last two games due to injury, is not
listed on the injury report. If fit he'd provide some sorely needed wide
play. Perhaps Nowak will ease him back into the mix by utilizing him
off the bench. Lord knows they need his speed and service from the
flanks.

Defensively the Union don't need to change much. Perhaps better
marking on set pieces, as last week the Galaxy scored the decisive goal
off of a Beckham free kick. Aside from that Faryd Mondragon, Sheannon
Williams, Danny Califf, Carlos Valdes, and Jordan Harvey have been
stellar.

I mentioned the marquee names the Red Bulls boast, but for some
reason the player that worries me most is Dane Richards. His speed may
present a serious problem for the Union. We saw how much they struggled
to contain Brad Davis against Houston. Richards, although not as class a
player as Davis, could cause the Union some problems.

One final note...the Union are coming off a 120-minute mid-week US
Open Cup loss to DC United. Nowak played the bulk of his starters
Wednesday night. We'll have to see how much, if at all, the energy they
expended against United hampers them tonight.

Final Score Prediction: The combination of the mid-week loss and the NYRB having superior talent dooms the Union tonight. Red Bulls win it 2-0.

The Toni Stahl Memorial Union Player Most Likely To See Red: Danny Califf, who is playing with a bum knee, may struggle all night to keep up with the pace and creativity of Agudelo.